Author's note: Just a short
bit to set things up for Christmas. Only two chapters to go. Yes, the end
is finally in sight<g>.

Chapter 53

The next few weeks passed in
a whirlwind of activity. Between working longer hours and taking care of their
holiday shopping, the couple hadn't had a great deal of time together. When
Sam learned she would be getting off work early one afternoon, she convinced
Tina to do likewise and meet her at the condo for some much needed rest and
relaxation.

She's going to be surprised.
Sam put her hands on her hips and looked at the cheerfully adorned room with
satisfaction. Tiny white lights twinkled from a garland spread across the
mantle where two stockings were hung. Large pillows and blankets were strewn
about on the floor in front of the fireplace. A three-foot tree was centered
on the coffee table, waiting to be trimmed with the decorations lying next
to it. Through the sliding glass doors, multicolored lights that were wound
around the balcony railing blinked merrily. She should be here soon. Humming
to the Christmas song playing softly in the background, the musician went
to the kitchen and stirred the contents of a pot on the stove.

Tina unlocked the door and
stepped inside. She stood quietly for a moment as she took in the sight of
her transformed living quarters. "Samantha?"

"Hi!" Sam ran to
the foyer and gave her partner an enthusiastic hug. "Seeing as we're
going to be here for Christmas, I thought we should have the proper atmosphere.
Do you like it?"

"Yeah…. a lot."

The blonde tugged Tina toward
the kitchen. "Here's the BEST part." She stopped in the entryway
and pointed up. A red ribbon dangled from the ceiling with a sprig of greenery
fastened to the end.

"Mistletoe?"

"Mmm hmm." Sam put
her arms around the accountant's neck and pulled her down for a kiss. "Good
thinking, huh?"

"Come on, then."
Sam chuckled and led the way to the stove. "I'll pour us each a cup and
we can decorate the tree."

"Okay."

As they brought their drinks
into the living room, Tina walked to the fireplace and touched the stocking
with the Florida State emblem on it. "Where'd you ever find this?"

"At a sports store in
the mall. I thought it would make it easy for Santa to figure out which one
is yours."

And you knew I'd love it.
"I got the fireplace working. Do you want me to turn it on?"

"Can we wait till Christmas
Eve? It'll make it extra special."

"Sure."

"Let's decorate the tree."
Sam picked up the string of lights and started to randomly drape it on the
branches.

"Wait a minute."
Tina grabbed the end. "The plug needs to be down at the bottom. We should
do this in a logical manner."

The older woman took charge,
giving precise directions that resulted in a perfectly symmetrical lighting
design. Next, they took turns hanging the ornaments. The blonde would quickly
pick an open space to put hers. Tina studied the tree at length before carefully
choosing a spot.

Thank goodness it's not
a six-footer… it would take a week to decorate. Sam picked up the tinsel.
"I bet you're going to put this on one strand at a time, aren't you?"

"Umm… yes."

Sam laughed and gave half the
contents of the box to her partner. "I believe in the more tinsel the
better." She started tossing the stuff at the tree by the handful. In
less than 30 seconds, she was done.

Tina hung single strands on
the scant number of bare branches that were left. When she finished, the women
sat cozily on the couch.

"Samantha, thanks for
doing this. The place looks… wonderful."

"You're welcome. Would
you prefer that we stay here this weekend? You do too much driving…"

Tina shook her head. "I
don't want to miss tucking Josh in."

"He told me you're quite
the storyteller."

"Actually… it's only been
one story so far. He always asks for the same thing."

Sam was very familiar with
the child's penchant for listening to a tale over and over. "Maybe I
can hear it sometime?"

"Maybe."

Maybe almost always means
yes. Sam smiled and cuddled closer.

They sat silently for a bit,
each one lost in her own thoughts.

"T?"

"Yes?"

"I… I think I'd like to
call my mom."

"Are you sure?" Tina
picked up the portable phone from its base on the end table.

Sam nodded, taking the receiver
and holding it against her chest, gathering her emotional strength. Finally,
she took a deep breath and dialed, waiting nervously as it rang twice before
she heard her mother say hello. "Hi, Mom. It's Sam."

Tina listened to the younger
woman's part of the conversation alertly, prepared to intervene if necessary.

"How are you?" …
"Yes, I'm completely healed. Even the bruises are all gone." … "Yes."
… "No." … "Umm… Tina and I are going to be spending Christmas
in Tampa, so I was wondering if we could stop by to see you on Christmas Eve?"
… "Probably late afternoon." … "Okay. Bye, Mom." Sam
pressed the off button, dropped the phone on the cushion next to her, and
hugged Tina. "She said YES!"

There might be hope for
you after all, Mrs. Whitwell. "Guess it's a good thing I got her
a present."

"You did?"

"Yup."

"Why didn't you tell me?"

"I didn't want you to
feel any pressure about calling her. I had Lisa help me pick out something
just in case."